Plug flow reactor (PFR) to palm oil (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) thermal cracking

Abstract

Given the need to develop and implement alternative renewable energy sources, this research was focused on using palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) as a raw material for biofuel production. A bench-scale plug flow reactor was designed and built and it was then used to carry out the thermal cracking experiments aimed at bio-oil production. For each experiment, the bio-oil products were characterized according to the acid value, refraction index, viscosity, and density and distillation curve. The results obtained from each experiment were compared with those for crude oil in order to identify the operation conditions that provide the best quality bio-oil. The bio-oil from each experiment was then fractionated using a distillation column, to produce bio-gasoline, bio-kerosene and green diesel. The distillation products were also characterized, based on the same properties evaluated for the bio-oil, and the results were compared with those for gasoline and diesel fuels. The results of this study show that it is possible to produce a bio-fuel based on bio-oil obtained from the thermal cracking of palm oil using a plug flow reactor, and the product is similar to crude oil, with the exception of the acid index value. With regard to the distillation curve, when compared with those for crude oil (Hungo and Cabinda blends) and its derivatives, good approximations are observed. The thermal cracking of palm oil can therefore be used as a technological strategy to obtain bio-oil and its derivatives and thereby reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.